Alebrijes of Oaxaca, Mexico - University of KentuckyAlebrijes of Oaxaca, Mexico An exhibition of...
Transcript of Alebrijes of Oaxaca, Mexico - University of KentuckyAlebrijes of Oaxaca, Mexico An exhibition of...
Alebrijes of Oaxaca, Mexico
An exhibition of Mexican folk art from the state of Oaxaca
Exhibit assembled by Dr. Francie Chassen-Lopéz
UK Department of History
Text by Dara Vance, Graduate Student
UK Department of History
Alebrijes are carved from the copal wood. The tree referred to as copal is native to Mexico and has many uses
beyond alebrije carving. The sap or resin can be used for a variety of medicinal purposes including treating
scorpion bites, relieving cold symptoms, headache, and acne. The fruit and foliage of three produces aromatic
linaloe oil used in making lotions, essential oils, and soaps. The resin of the tree is also burned in churches during
religious services and produces a fruity, earthy fragrance.
Copaleros collect the wood, which is then dried, and pieces are selected for carving. The shape of the branch
often dictates the figure to be carved. Intricate, twisting shapes are desirable for carving lizards, cats, and
dragons with interwoven tails. The figures are sanded and painted with a base coat of paint. The final painting is
done meticulously with intricate patterns and vibrant colors. Originally, alebrijes were painted with water-based
paint that faded or rubbed off, but now producers have switched to latex based house paint.
Although these distinctive cultural artifacts are often assumed to represent a long established, tradition of
Mexican folk art, they only began to appear in the 1940s in the state of Oaxaca. All of the alebrijes on display
were carved in Oaxaca. (For a full description visit http://uknowledge.uky.edu/world_mexico_alebrijes/)
Case 6
All from the collection of
Francie Chassen-Lopéz)
Case 7
A– Armadilo: From
the collection of Mark
Kornbluh and Mimi
Behar
B,C&D– Armadillos
and Porcupine: From
the collection of
Monica Udvardy and
Thomas Håkansson
B
C
D
A B
C
Visit our Virtual
Exhibit
http://
uknowledge.uky.edu/
world_mexico_alebrijes/
B
A
Case 1 A- Cat: From the collection of Haralambos Symeonidis
B- Peacock: From the collection of Karen Tice and Dwight Billings
C- Cat: From the collection of Mark Kornbluh and Mimi Behar
D- Cat: From the collection of Francie Chassen-Lopéz
E- Copal: From the Copal Tree and used for a variety of medicinal purposes.
Alebijes are carved from the wood.
Case 2
Case 3
A&B– Snake and Box: From the
collection of Francie Chassen-Lopéz
C: Turtles, Crab, and Fish: From the
collection of Monica Udvardy and
Thomas Håkansson
All items in this case are from the collection
of Monica Udvardy and Thomas
Håkansson
Case 4
Case 5
A – Giraffe: From the collection of Monica
Udvardy and Thomas Håkansson
B&E – Giraffes: From the collection of Karen Tice
and Dwight Billings
C&D– Horse and Unicorn: From the collection
of Francie Chassen-Lopéz
A,B&C– Lizards: From the
collection of Monica Udardy
and Thomas Håkansson
D– Lizard: From the collection
of Karen Tice and Dwight
Billings
E– Lizard: From the collection
of Mark Kornbluh and Mimi
Behar
A
B
C
D
E
A
B
C
C
C A B
D E F
G
A
B C
D
E
A
B
C
D
E
C